After months of discussion we’ve now agreed the council’s budget for next year. Thank you to all the staff who’ve been part of those discussions and helped get us through this lengthy and challenging process. We now have a clear budget for the year ahead and we can begin to plan to deliver services based on that funding. Unfortunately, it means some posts are at risk, but we’re doing all we can to support those staff affected by the budget. I know this is an unsettling time, but we’re making every effort to avoid compulsory redundancies wherever possible.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown was in Swansea this week to officially open Cwtch Mawr – Wales’ first multi-bank. Based on the concept of foodbanks it provides a range of essentials such as clothing, household items and baby goods to people in need. Since it started in December more than 7,000 people have benefitted and it’s making a real difference to lives. The Multibank initiative was co-founded Mr Brown and Amazon and is being run in Swansea by Faith in Families. The council has secured an asset for the initiative and provided some financial support via ERF monies to get it up and running. It’s also given a significant amount of support so my thanks to all the staff involved with particular thanks to Jane Whitmore for the work on this initiative.
It was great to see the It’s Your Swansea conference yesterday at Swansea Arena. More than 1,000 people attended, along with hundreds of inspiring local businesses helping raise Swansea’s profile as a city of opportunity. The council gave an update on the £1bn regeneration programme that’s transforming our city, and staff were on hand to give information on major projects and business grants. On a similar note I met with officials from the UK business and trade officials at the university to showcase Swansea and the great work being done on life sciences and how our City Region is moving forward.
Congratulations to our land charges team who are the first in Wales to win the Customer Satisfaction Award in the 2024 Land Data Awards for Excellence. Our team manages conveyancing searches which is an essential part of moving home for our residents. It’s voted for by conveyancers and solicitors who are asked to consider quality, efficiency, reliability and value for money. Swansea is the first Welsh Authority to win an award.
Another proud moment this week saw the charity Heartbeat Trust UK visit the Guildhall to present us with an award for our support in helping Swansea become the UK’s first Defib Friendly City. There’s now a network of more than 650 life-saving defibrillators across the city, and the council has helped fund many of those. My thanks to all involved in this life-saving initiative.
Finally my thanks to Steve Bennett, one of our city centre cleansing team, who gave first aid and assistance to an elderly gentleman who had fallen and sustained a significant head injury. Steve started initial first aid, phoned an ambulance and assisted with getting him into an emergency vehicle to hospital. Since that time, the gentleman has recovered and called into the office with a card and box of chocolates for Steve. Well done Steve.
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